Aroma Smart Steam: Enhancing Your Space With Scents

The Aroma Smart Steam function is a convenient and healthy way to cook a variety of dishes with minimal effort. It is a feature available in some of Aroma's rice cookers, such as the ARC-1000 and ARC-1120SBL models, as well as their 2.5-liter smart electric hot pot. The Smart Steam function allows users to steam vegetables, fish, grains, and more, all while retaining flavor and texture. It also helps to lock in essential vitamins and minerals, making it a healthy cooking option. With the Smart Steam function, users can also cook multiple foods at once using a steamer basket, making it a time-saving option for preparing meals for large groups.

Preparing the Aroma cooker for steaming

To prepare your Aroma cooker for steaming, start by ensuring the base is securely connected to the lid. Next, locate the inner pot or main bowl of the cooker and fill it with water. The amount of water required will depend on the type of food you plan to steam. For example, if you're steaming asparagus, peas, spinach, squash, or zucchini, add 1/2 cup of water. For cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, corn, or green beans, you'll need to add 1 cup of water.

After adding the appropriate amount of water, insert the steam tray into the inner pot. This steam tray is designed to hold your food above the water level, allowing for even steaming without submerging your ingredients. Once the steam tray is in place, you can add your chosen ingredients to it. The Aroma cooker is versatile and can handle a variety of foods, from vegetables to fish, grains, and even dumplings.

If you're feeling adventurous, you can experiment with adding herbs, spices, or citrus slices directly to the steaming water. This simple step will infuse your dishes with additional flavours, taking your culinary creations to the next level. Just be mindful of the water level and ensure it doesn't exceed the maximum fill line indicated in your cooker.

With your ingredients carefully placed in the steam tray and any optional flavour enhancers added to the water, you're almost ready to start steaming. Before closing the lid, take a moment to ensure that it is securely attached to the base. A firm connection between the base and the lid is crucial for safe and efficient steaming.

Adjusting the temperature and timing

Firstly, it is important to note that cooking times will vary depending on the types of ingredients you are cooking. For example, steaming vegetables may require a shorter cooking time to maintain their crispness.

To adjust the temperature and timing on your Aroma rice cooker, simply follow these steps:

• Open the rice cooker by pressing the "Lid Release" button.
• Prepare your ingredients by rinsing the rice or chopping your vegetables.
• Place the desired amount of water or other liquid into the inner pot, using the measuring cup provided. The amount of water will vary depending on the type of ingredient. For example, when cooking rice, use the water line indicators inside the pot as a guide.
• Place the ingredients into the steam tray and insert the tray into the main bowl.
• Secure the lid of the rice cooker.
• Press the "Steam/Cook" button on the control panel to start the steaming process.
• To adjust the cooking time, press the "Steam/Cook" button repeatedly to increase or decrease the time in one-minute increments between 5 and 30 minutes.
• The cooker will automatically switch to "Keep-Warm" mode once the steaming time has elapsed.
• Check the food for doneness and adjust the timing accordingly. If the food requires additional cooking, add more water if needed, and repeat the steaming process for a few more minutes.

By following these steps, you can easily customise the temperature and timing of your Aroma rice cooker to suit your specific cooking needs.

Using the delay timer

The Aroma Smart Steam delay timer is a handy feature that lets you prep meals in advance, so you can have dishes ready when you need them. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use the delay timer:

• Press the "Delay Timer" button repeatedly to select the desired delay time. The timer increases in one-hour increments, as shown on the LED screen. For example, if you want to delay cooking by two hours, press the "Delay Timer" button twice.
• After setting the desired delay time, press the "White Rice" or "Brown Rice" button to initiate the countdown. The cooking cycle will automatically start according to the set timer.

It's important to note that the "Delay Timer" function is designed for rice cooking and cannot be used with the "Smart Steam" function for safety reasons. The delay timer is perfect for preparing rice up to 15 hours in advance, ensuring it's ready for mealtime. Remember that once the timer elapses, the cooker will automatically switch to "Keep-Warm" mode to maintain the freshness of the rice.

Additionally, when using the delay timer, it's recommended to avoid leaving raw meat in the cooker for longer than two hours to prevent potential food-borne illnesses. The delay timer is a convenient feature that allows you to plan your meals ahead of time, making it easier to manage your meal preparations.

Steaming food groups

Steaming is a versatile and healthy cooking method that can be applied to almost any type of cuisine. It is an indirect cooking technique that uses hot steam generated from water to cook food, helping it retain its nutrition, colour, and texture. Here are some tips for steaming different food groups using the Aroma Smart Steam function:

Vegetables

The Aroma rice cooker and steamer can be used to steam a variety of vegetables, including cauliflower, cabbage, peas, broccoli, asparagus, spinach, squash, zucchini, carrots, corn, and green beans. To steam vegetables, first add the desired amount of water to the inner pot according to the type of vegetable being steamed. Then, place the steam tray inside the rice cooker, add the vegetables to the tray, and shut the lid securely. Press the "Steam/Cook" button, and adjust the timer as needed. Once the steaming time has elapsed, carefully remove the cooked vegetables using oven mitts or tongs as they will be extremely hot.

Meat

The Aroma Smart Steam function can also be used to cook meat. Refer to the steaming guide provided with your device for approximate steaming times for different types of meat. Place the desired amount of meat on the steam tray, ensuring that it is placed securely inside the rice cooker. Set the timer according to the type of meat and your desired level of doneness. Once the steaming time has elapsed, carefully remove the cooked meat and check if it is cooked to your preference. If not, you can repeat the steaming process for a few more minutes.

Fish and Seafood

Steaming is a great way to cook fish and seafood, such as king crab legs, shrimp, crayfish, and whole fish like sea bass. To steam fish or seafood using the Aroma Smart Steam function, refer to the steaming guide for recommended steaming times. Place the fish or seafood on the steam tray and ensure the lid is securely shut. Adjust the timer as needed, and once the steaming time has elapsed, carefully remove the cooked food. You can dress your steamed fish or seafood with ingredients like light soy sauce, aromatics, garlic, or butter to enhance the flavour.

Eggs and Dairy

Steaming can also be used to prepare eggs and dairy products. For example, Chinese steamed eggs are made by beating eggs to an omelette-like consistency and then steaming them. You can also steam egg custards and milk puddings, such as the Cantonese Steamed Milk Pudding. Refer to recipes or steaming guides for recommended steaming times and temperatures for different egg and dairy dishes.

Breads and Grains

A variety of breads and grains can be steamed, including steamed buns, steamed bread, rice flour pudding, and rice cakes. When steaming breads and grains, follow the instructions for your specific dish. Adjust the amount of water and steaming time accordingly, and ensure that you use a heat-proof dish that fits securely inside the rice cooker. Once the steaming process is complete, carefully remove the dish and serve while hot, or chill and serve with your desired toppings or sauces.

Cleaning and maintaining the Aroma cooker

To clean and maintain your Aroma cooker, follow these steps:

Cleaning the Inner Pot and Steam Tray:

• After each use, remove the inner pot and steam tray for cleaning.
• Wash the inner pot and steam tray with warm, soapy water. Ensure you thoroughly clean all surfaces that come into contact with food.
• Rinse them with clean water and dry them completely before placing them back into the cooker.

Cleaning the Exterior:

• Unplug the cooker and allow it to cool down before cleaning the exterior.
• Wipe down the exterior with a damp cloth to remove any spills or stains. For stubborn stains, use a mild detergent and a soft-bristled brush or sponge.
• Ensure no water enters the steam vent or other electrical components.

Descaling:

• Regularly descale your Aroma cooker to remove any built-up mineral deposits.
• Fill the inner pot with a mixture of equal parts water and vinegar.
• Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes to one hour, then wipe away any residue with a soft cloth.
• Rinse the inner pot with clean water and dry it completely before using it again.

Maintaining the Seals:

• Check the seals around the lid and the steam tray periodically to ensure they are intact and pliable.
• If the seals become damaged or brittle, replace them to ensure the cooker maintains proper pressure and temperature during cooking.

Storing:

• When not in use, store your Aroma cooker in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
• Ensure the cooker is unplugged and all components are completely dry before storing.

Frequently asked questions